WARSAW — The Indiana Department of Education publicly released statewide results of the Spring 2019 ILEARN results on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

ILEARN recently replaced the former state assessment program known as ISTEP+. However, in comparison to past ISTEP+ scores, ILEARN showed lower achievement levels across the state in both language arts and mathematics.

According to the statewide results, nearly two-thirds of students in third through eighth grade did not pass ILEARN. In comparison to ISTEP+, ILEARN is a computer-adaptive assessment that adjusts questions students see based on their performance.

Overall, Warsaw Community Schools’ results showed approximately a 50 percent proficiency in almost every testing category. However, in comparison to statewide averages, the corporation’s testing averages were higher, according to Indiana department of education.

“While the WCS district was above the state average, we do not believe they show a comprehensive picture of our academic performance locally or statewide,” said WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert. “Additionally, this test is a new format with new cut scores, thus making the results difficult to compare with previous years’ scores. While important to review all points of data, it is fully understood one test cannot provide a comprehensive portrait.”

In a press release issued Sept. 4, State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick said the test results do not provide a true reflection of the performance of Indiana’s schools. Since assessment results such as ILEARN can have a largely positive or negative impact on educators and schools, the Indiana Department of Education is focusing on several legislative actions.

“The test results once again show us the importance of developing a modernized state legislated accountability system that is fair, accurate, and transparent,” said McCormick. “With this in mind, the Department will propose the following legislative actions: place a ‘hold harmless’ year on 2018-19 letter grades, pause intervention timelines for all schools, and provide the State Board of Education with emergency rule-making authority to review and reestablish the state accountability system.”